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AHSAA Student-Athletes Deliver Nation’s Fastest Indoor Times in Multiple Events

January 5, 2024

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA

MONTGOMERY – Huntsville High School junior Eric Moore, Bob Jones senior Jordan Urrutia and Thompson senior Bradley Franklin have delivered some of the fastest boys’ times nationally in the first few weeks of the 2023-24 indoor track season.

That puts all three athletes in the season’s inaugural AHSAA Indoor Track Spotlight of the 2024 season along with the Mountain Brook’s girls’ 4×800-meter relay team – comprised of Lucy Benton, Kennedy Hamilton, Kayman Hamilton, and Mary Katherine Malone.

Mountain Brook’s 4×800-meter girls’ relay team clocked 9:28.99 at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 on Dec. 9. That’s the best time in the country so far this season, according to Milesplit. Mountain Brook, coached by Michael McGovern, won the Class 6A state indoor title last season with a winning time of 9:45.75 with Kennedy Hamilton and Malone participating with that foursome. Their time this season is just two seconds shy of the AHSAA Class 6A indoor state record (9:26.01) set by McGill-Toolen Catholic in 2012. It is also 10 seconds shy of the overall AHSAA indoor state mark (9:19,70) set by Class 7A Hoover in 2018.
Huntsville’s Moore clocked 4:18.39 in the 1,600-meter run at the JV Meet #1A and 4:20.92 in the 1,600 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex last month, putting him atop the national leaderboard according to Milesplit.com. He also has the AHSAA’s fastest indoor 3,200-meter time of 9:24.34. He finished seventh in the Class 7A state indoor meet last year in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4:22.26 – in what turned out to be the fastest 1,600 race overall in AHSAA indoor state meet history with Alex Leath of Vestavia Hills winning the 7A state title with a record time of 4:10.94.The top four finishers all crossed the finish line beating the previous state record, however.
Bob Jones’ Urrutia, who finished sixth at last year’s state meet with a time of 50.15, ran a personal-record 48.17 to win the 400 meter-dash competition at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex to better the 48.99 he ran at the Magic City Invitational No. 2, placing him atop the national standings in that event. Both finishes this year topped last year’s 7A state meet winning time of 40.09.
Thompson’s Franklin, who won the 7A 60-meter hurdles title last season with a time of 8.00, turned in the nation’s best 60-meter hurdles time of the season (7.66 seconds) thus far at the Galleria Games held at the CrossPlex. He also won the 60-meter hurdles at the Magic City Invitational in 7.71 seconds, won the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 7.83 seconds, and ran fourth in the 60-meter dash with a personal-record time of 6.99 seconds.

The AHSAA indoor track-and-field season usually begins with a few meets in December, usually at the Birmingham CrossPlex, before the season kicks into high gear in January. The 2024 AHSAA Indoor Track Championships are scheduled for Feb. 2-3 at the CrossPlex. This week’s busy schedule includes three high school events beginning with the Alabama versus the South Indoor Championships on Friday, Jan. 5; Ice Breaker No. 1 and Ice Breaker No. 2 meets on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Here’s a look at other notable indoor track performances from the opening month of the season, as reported by www.alabamarunners.com:

GIRLS

JANIE FORD, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Won the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 7 inches, won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.83 seconds and finished runner-up in the 400 meters with a time of 57.16 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. She also clocked 8.88 seconds to win the 60-meter hurdles and won the triple jump with a leap of 38 feet, 5½ inches at the Holiday Invitational No. 1.

TORI MACK, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Won the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 9.06 seconds.

SUMMER SUTHERLIN, AUSTIN: Clocked 58.84 seconds to win the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex and also clocked 7.82 seconds to win the 60-meter dash.

AVERY CAHOON, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Won the 1,600-meter run at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 5:08.79 and finished second in the 800 meters with a time of 2:16.01.

DELANEY VICKERS, SPAIN PARK: Clocked 5:07.82 to win the 1,600 meters at the JV Meet #1A.

TY CASON, CHELSEA: Ran 5:09.70 to win the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1.

MARY KATHERINE MALONE, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Ran 5:13.53 to win the 1,600 meter at the Magic City Invitational No. 1. She also ran 2:20.46 to finish fourth in the 800 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

KENNEDY HAMILTON, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 1, clocking 5:15.89. She ran fifth in the 800 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 2:29.34.

SAMANTHA MENIKHEIM, SPARKMAN: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 5:17.14.

MADDYN CONN, WHITE PLAINS: Ran third in the 1,600 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 with a time of 5:17.24. She ran 11:39.12 in the 3,200 meters to finish fourth at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

RILEY ZEANAH, VESTAVIA HILLS: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 5:17.86.

SARAH COBB, HUNTSVILLE: Clocked 5:17.07 in the 1,600 meters and 11:32.95 in the 3,200 meters and won both events at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

EMILY MILES, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Was third in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 5:17.14.

EMMA BROOKE LEVERING, HOMEWOOD: Won the 3,200-meter run at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 10:54.91.

CLAIRE SPOONER, VESTAVIA HILLS: Clocked 11:19.69 to finish runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

KINLEY HARRIS, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Ran 11:20.16 in the 3,200 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

KATIE MAE COAN, LAWRENCE COUNTY: Won the 3,200 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 with a time of 11:23.68. At the at the Holiday Invitational No. 1, she won the 3,200 meters in 11:16.84 and ran fourth in the 1,600 meters with a time of 5:19.45.

ANNA PIERCE, WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN: Placed runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 11:18.12.

LUCY BENTON, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Won the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.43 at the Holiday Invitational No. 2. She also finished runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 with a time of 11:38.84.

AUDREY BECKER, HUNTSVILLE: Finished runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 11:45.27.

HARLEY McNEAL, NORTHRDIGE: Won the 60-meter dash in 7.69 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

TAYLOR CANADA, HOOVER: Finished third in the 60-meter dash at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 7.79 seconds. She also ran 7.81 seconds to finish second in the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

TIERRA AGEE, OPELIKA: Clocked 7.81 seconds in the 60 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2

DAISY LUNA, HOOVER: Won the 400 meters with a time of 55.97 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 2, and she won the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 56.66 seconds.

ALIVIA URRUTIA, BOB JONES: Finished second in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 57.44 seconds.

McKENZIE BLACKLEDGE, HOOVER: Ran third in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 57.81 seconds. She was second at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 56.97 seconds and also clocked 2:19.13 to finish third in the 800 meters.

MARY HAYES JOHNSON, CHEROKEE COUNTY: Clocked 59.33 seconds to win the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1

KYLA PRICE, GADSDEN CITY: Clocked 59.49 seconds in the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

MIA DUNAVANT, CHELSEA: Ran second in the 400 meters with a time of 59.78 seconds at the Holiday Invitational No. 1.

JORDON BRAY, CALERA: Clocked 58.16 seconds to finish fourth in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

ANNIE KERR, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Won the pole vault at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 by clearing 12 feet, 7 inches, and she cleared 12 feet, 3 inches to win the event at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 event.

KENNEDY MORELAND, VESTAVIA HILLS: Won the pole vault at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 by clearing 11 feet. She cleared 11 feet, 6 inches to finish runner-up at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

NYEL SETTLES, HOOVER: Cleared 5 feet, 4 inches to win the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2. She cleared 5 feet at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

CEAIRA WINE, NORTHRIDGE: Finished runner-up in the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 by clearing 5 feet, 2 inches.

MADELINE DUDLEY, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Cleared 5 feet, 2 inches to win the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 1

BRIANNA STEPHENS, COLUMBIA: Won the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 2 inches at the Holiday Invitational No. 2. She also cleared 5 feet at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

XARIYAH HATCHETT, PAUL W. BRYANT: Won the long jump at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a leap of 18 feet, ¼ inch. She also won the triple jump leaping 38 feet, 1¾ inches.

ISABELLA JOHNSON, MONTGOMERY ACADEMY: Won the shot put at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a throw of 39 feet.

KYNDALL BRUNDIDGE, OPELIKA: Finished runner-up in the triple jump at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a. leap of 36 feet, 8¾ inches.

BOYS

LUKE ALVERSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 4:20.92 and won the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:24.34. He also clocked 4:18.39 in the 1,600 meters at the JV Meet #1A.

COLE ROBINSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 4:22.09. He was also third in the 3,200 meters clocking 9:39.01.

BRADLEY SHAW, HOOVER: Won the shot put with a heave of 52 feet, 4 inches at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

WILLIAM PORR, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Won the 1,600-meter run in 4:27.60 and won the 3,200-meter run in 9:43.81 at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

ANDREW PURCELL, ENTERPRISE: Cleared 6 feet, 8 inches to win the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

JOHN SHOEMAKER, OAK MOUNTAIN: Finished runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 9:28.16.

STEPHEN JONES, SCOTTSBORO: Won the 3,200 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 9:37.03. He also ran third in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 4:23.38.

PARKER CAMPBELL, CHELSEA: Won the 3,200-meter run at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 9:44.18.

JAYDEN ALLRED, COLD SPRINGS: Finished second in the 3,200 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 9:44.98.

DALLAS BECK, HOOVER: Clocked 50.23 seconds in the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

BRYANT BEUOY, ARAB: Won the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 50.33 seconds.

COLIN WADSWORTH, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Ran 50.40 seconds in the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

COLVIN BUSSEY, HOMEWOOD: Clocked 50.82 seconds in the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

STEVEN SIGLER, CARVER-BIRMINGHAM: Finished runner-up in the 400 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 50.85 seconds.

JADEN KING, CALERA: Finished third in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 50.90 seconds, and he ran 50.89 seconds at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

JAMESON COLEMAN, HOOVER: Ran fourth in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 51.02 seconds.

JACOB HARPER, HUNTSVILLE: Finished the 400 meters in 51.35 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 2, which placed him fifth.

ALIJAY ABRAM, HOOVER: Clocked 51.38 seconds to finish sixth in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2.

CANNON PETERS, HOOVER: Won the 800 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 1:59.81.

ELLIOTT JANNERT, SCOTTSBORO: Finished runner-up at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 in the 800 meters with a time of 1:59.85.

DeMARION GARDNER, HOOVER: Clocked 6.90 seconds to win the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

JAMARI HARRIS, McADORY: Finished third in the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 6.97.

RJ TORBOR, HOOVER: Clocked 8.12 seconds to finish runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

JAILEB BALLARD, CENTER POINT: Won the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 8.17 seconds, and won the event with a time of 8.30 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

BENJAMIN THOMASON, JAMES CLEMENS: Ran 8.20 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

DENVER CASH, HOOVER: Clocked 8.21 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

SLATE ROHRER, HOMEWOOD: Ran 8.27 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

JOEQUEZ KEITH, SPARKMAN: Ran runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.35 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

ALIJAH VAUGHN, SPARKMAN: Clocked 7.01 seconds to win the 60-meter dash at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 and won the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 6.94 seconds.

WILLIAM McGOUGH, PELHAM: Clocked 6.98 seconds to finish second in the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 1.

CHARLES CROWDER, HOOVER: Won the triple jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a leap of 45 feet, 11¾ inches and won the triple jump with a leap of 47 feet, 6¾ inches. He was fourth in the long jump at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a leap of 22 feet, 4 inches.

ISAIAH MARK, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Soared 45 feet, 3¼ inches to win the triple jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

SKYLAR TOWNSEND, TANNER: Cleared 6 feet, 4 inches in the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2, placing him third.

DAVIAN JONES, OPELIKA: Finished second in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 4¼ inches at the Holiday Invitational No. 2, was second on the triple jump by soaring 45 feet, 7½ inches, and cleared 6 feet, 2 inches in the high jump.

SHAMAR WELCH, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Cleared 6 feet to win the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

TYLER DRESSBACK, VESTAVIA HILLS: Cleared 6 feet in the high jump at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 and cleared 6 feet, 2 inches at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

WILLIAM NUMNUM, NORTHRIDGE: Cleared 12 feet in the pole vault at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

NORMAN SETTLES, HOOVER: Cleared 12 feet in the pole vault at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

NIC FALLIN, COLD SPRINGS: Won the high jump at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 by clearing 6 feet, 2 inches.